Aurelian's first official lesson as Prince Elion's mentor did not involve books, swords, or magic.
It involved silence.
They sat in the palace garden just after sunrise, dew still clinging to the leaves, the city beyond the walls slowly waking to life. Elion sat upright on a stone bench, hands folded neatly, eyes fixed on Aurelian with the intensity of someone waiting for an exam to begin.
Aurelian, in contrast, poured tea.
He did it carefully. Slowly. Steam curled upward, fragrant and steady. He waited until both cups were filled before speaking.
"Drink," he said.
Elion blinked. "…That's the lesson?"
"Yes."
Elion obeyed, taking a cautious sip. It was good—surprisingly so. He relaxed despite himself.
Aurelian watched him. "What are you thinking about?"
Elion hesitated. "The council. The border reports. The demon realms. Whether I said too much yesterday."
Aurelian nodded. "And while you're thinking about all of that—what is actually happening right now?"
Elion looked around. "We're… sitting?"
"Exactly," Aurelian said. "You're exhausting yourself by fighting a future that hasn't arrived."
Elion frowned. "But if I don't think ahead—"
"You must," Aurelian interrupted gently. "But not constantly. A ruler who never rests makes poor decisions because he's always reacting."
Elion leaned back slightly. "You're saying I should do nothing."
Aurelian smiled faintly. "I'm saying you should learn when to do nothing."
That afternoon, Aurelian accompanied Elion through the palace—not as an authority, but as an observer. Servants bowed. Guards stiffened. Nobles watched from corners of their eyes.
Aurelian returned each gaze calmly, noting who looked curious, who looked threatened, and who looked relieved.
"You walk too fast," he told Elion quietly as they moved through a corridor.
"I have places to be."
"So does everyone," Aurelian replied. "Walking slowly forces people to adjust to you."
Elion slowed, awkward at first.
Almost immediately, the dynamic changed. Conversations halted. Servants waited. Nobles hesitated before speaking.
Elion noticed.
"…That works," he murmured.
"It always does," Aurelian said. "Authority sets the tempo."
Later, in a smaller meeting room, Elion attempted to study reports while Aurelian leaned against the window.
"You're not helping," Elion complained.
"I am," Aurelian replied. "By not interrupting."
Elion groaned. "You're doing this on purpose."
"Yes."
Despite himself, Elion laughed.
By evening, word had spread.
The prince had a new advisor—one who did not wear insignia, did not attend banquets, and did not flatter anyone. Nobles speculated wildly. Some dismissed Aurelian as a curiosity. Others felt unease they could not explain.
In the servants' quarters, a different rumor circulated:
The prince finally looks less tired.
That night, Elion collapsed into a chair in Aurelian's assigned chamber.
"I didn't realize how much noise there was," he admitted. "Not just sound. Expectations."
Aurelian poured another cup of tea. "Expectations are debts other people want you to pay."
Elion stared into his cup. "And what if I can't?"
Aurelian's voice softened. "Then you renegotiate."
Elion looked up. "You make it sound simple."
"It isn't," Aurelian said honestly. "But it's survivable."
A knock came at the door.
Aurelian felt it before it sounded—a subtle shift in mana, restrained, familiar.
Elion tensed. "Is that—?"
"Yes," Aurelian replied. "But she's not here for you."
He opened the door.
Serathiel stood there, dressed less formally than before, cloak draped loosely over one shoulder. She glanced past Aurelian and raised an eyebrow at Elion.
"So this is the human prince," she said. "You look younger than your problems."
Elion froze.
"…Demon," he began weakly.
Serathiel waved a hand. "Princess, actually. But titles are exhausting."
Aurelian sighed. "You could have announced yourself."
"And ruin the surprise?" she replied.
Elion looked between them, clearly panicking.
"Relax," Aurelian said. "If she wanted you dead, you wouldn't be conscious."
That did not help.
Serathiel stepped inside uninvited, examining the room. "You've started already," she said to Aurelian. "Teaching him restraint."
"I'm trying," Aurelian replied.
She turned to Elion. "Advice, human prince?"
Elion swallowed. "I— what kind?"
Serathiel smiled thinly. "About ruling."
Elion glanced desperately at Aurelian.
Aurelian nodded once. Answer honestly.
Elion straightened. "I don't want war."
Serathiel studied him. "Good. Neither do I."
Elion blinked. "You… don't?"
"War is loud," she said. "And it kills people I like."
Elion stared.
Aurelian hid a smile.
Serathiel moved toward the door. "We'll talk again," she said lightly. "All of us. If the boy survives court politics."
Elion exhaled shakily after she left. "…Is this normal?"
Aurelian considered. "No."
"…Good."
They sat in silence for a while.
Then Elion said quietly, "I think I understand your first lesson."
Aurelian looked at him. "Which was?"
"That sometimes," Elion said, "doing nothing is the hardest thing you can do."
Aurelian nodded.
"That," he said, "is why it's usually the correct choice."